The next day
Wonderland SEKAI
1
Tsukasa
Okay, we're making a decision today!
2
KAITO
Welcome, everyone. Will you be continuing your discussion regarding your program today?
3
Tsukasa
We are. Especially since we couldn't agree on anything or reach a consensus...
4
Miku
Hm? Where's Emu?
5
Nene
Emu said she has to deal with something at home.
6
Miku
Oh, okay. That's too bad...
7
MEIKO
I would've liked to see Emu too, but if she's busy then we'll just have to let her be...!
8
Rui
And since our discussion kept reaching dead ends, it may've been nice to have her unique ideas maybe break open a path for us.
9
Tsukasa
In that case, we just have to choose something that she can enjoy to her heart's content!
10
Tsukasa
Now, let's start our discussion once more!
11
Tsukasa
*Huff*... *Huff*... *Huff*...
12
Tsukasa
Y-You're all too stubborn...!
13
Nene
*Sigh*... You're one to talk. You just keep saying, This! It has to be this! Like a broken record...
14
Rui
And once again we're all running in different directions. How about we ask how the plushies feel and vote on which idea is the best?
15
Nene
Okay then... Is that why you were playing with them the other time?
16
Rui
Oh, it's nothing like that. I was purely having a little fun with them.
17
Tsukasa
Your tricks won't work here, Rui! You'll just have to fight fair and square!
18
Rui
Oh, woe is me...! To be seen in such a manner! It is as if my heart is being torn to pieces...!
19
Nene
Quit hamming it up. You're not fooling us...
20
Len
Oh, hi there!
You're here already!
21
Tsukasa
Hey, Len, Rin!
22
Rin
Hm? Is Emu not with you today...?
23
Nene
Oh, Emu's taking the day off...
24
Len
A day off? So something really did happen to her?
25
Nene
Really happened...?
What do you mean?
26
Len
Well, we found Emu all by herself yesterday and she had this sad expression on her face.
27
Rin
Yeah! She's always happy and smiling, so she sort of shocked us yesterday!
28
Nene
Emu? Sad?
29
Tsukasa
Maybe she dropped that taiyaki she brought as a snack on accident?
30
Nene
No, if that were the case she'd come crying to me while saying, Neneee! Help!
31
Nene
So something more serious happened...?
32
Rui
Then we may want to ask her during our next practice. I'd like to help her if she really is in trouble.
33
Tsukasa
Right, I'm all for that...! If I can, I as the troupe leader shall lend her a hand as well!
Wonder Stage
34
Nene
It's already getting dark. We must've been talking for a pretty long time.
35
Robo-Nene
Lights ON. Please watch your step.
36
Nene
Hehe. Thanks, Robo-Nene.
37
Rui
It's finally starting to get warmer, but the sun still goes down relatively early.
38
Tsukasa
You're right. We need to make sure that we're taking good care of ourselves too. After we all get home, we should...
39
???
Enough...!!
40
Nene
Huh? Who was that...?
41
Rui
Someone with a lot of anger in their voice it seems.
42
Tsukasa
Maybe a fight broke out in the park? We should go see...!
Phoenix Wonderland
43
Shosuke
What do you mean rethink this partnership?! We're about to finalize everything, you know...?!
44
Shosuke
Do you not understand how much money is changing hands over this deal?!
45
Shosuke
Your pathetic ideas pale in comparison with what we're trying to achieve!!
46
Keisuke
...
47
Emu
No, I want to keep the promise I made with grandpa...!
48
Emu
If the Trampoline Dome isn't getting that many visitors, I'll work hard so that it will!
49
Emu
Everyone at the Wonder Stage even came up with an idea to make it more fun and attractive!
50
Emu
That way, more people will come and play, and they'll be laughing and smiling. Grandpa's PXL can stay the way it is and we'll get more visitors!
51
Shosuke
You just don't get it...
52
Emu
I came up with other ideas to get more visitors line up for the rides and attractions that are already here! Like...
53
Keisuke
Emu. This is our job. You are in no position to interfere.
54
Keisuke
And we believe that this partnership is what's best for this park.
55
Emu
B-But...!
56
Shosuke
Stop! Just stop!!
57
Shosuke
Why do you care about smiles and laughter so much?! That sort of thinking is what brought this park down to where it is now in the first place!!
58
Keisuke
Exactly. Business is about results. I suggest that you free yourself from these ideals of yours...
59
Emu
...!!
60
Tsukasa
Wait... Is that Emu?
61
Nene
But those two men in the suits... Who are they?
62
Tsukasa
Hey, Emu?
63
Emu
Huh? You guys...?!
64
Tsukasa
What's going on? Are you in trouble?
65
Emu
Um, well...!
66
Nene
Just who are you two?
Why are you yelling at her?
67
Shosuke
Who? We're her family!
Don't butt in where you're not supposed to!
68
Nene
Family...?
69
Rui
Ah, then that makes you her elder brothers?
70
Rui
As members of the same troupe as Emu, we were hoping to get to know you but...
71
Keisuke
Troupe...? Oh, you mean for the Wonder Stage.
72
Shosuke
Heh. That piece of junk...?
73
Tsukasa
What was that...?
74
Shosuke
So it was you lot then. If it weren't for you, we'd already be rid of that thing by now...
75
Shosuke
If only we succeeded, Emu would've given up and...
76
Tsukasa
Take back that part about it being a piece of junk!
77
Shosuke
Excuse me...?
78
Tsukasa
It's true that the Wonder Stage is old. So old that it could fall apart at any moment!
79
Tsukasa
But that stage is also the main theatre for Wonderlands×Showtime! As the troupe leader, I will not let what you said pass!!
80
Emu
Tsukasa...
81
Shosuke
Oh? And what does your lowly troupe intend to do then...?
82
Rui
Tsukasa, you should leave it here for now...
83
Rui
We're in their employ. This isn't the right time or place to discuss this...
84
Shosuke
Hah. At least this one seems to have his head on straight.
85
Shosuke
I'll tell you this as a courtesy. No good will come of you as long as you are involved with my idiot sister here.
86
Rui
What are you suggesting...?
87
Shosuke
She refuses to face reality, and constantly has her head in the clouds.
88
Shosuke
She's always been like this. Be it trying to fly, catch a rainbow and so on, she's been living in her dream world. Not only that, the ones she gets involved all end up getting hurt in the end.
89
Shosuke
Emu. Keep your dreams to yourself. We're through dealing with you!
90
Emu
...!
91
Rui
...
92
Nene
Hold on...!
93
Rui
Ah, I see...
94
Rui
You no longer have any hopes or dreams...
95
Shosuke
What was that...?
96
Rui
Such a pity. That also explains why you can't comprehend someone who has these sorts of ideals.
97
Rui
Or is it simply too much to bear and you've already given up...?
98
Keisuke
...
99
Shosuke
I have no idea what you're talking about.
100
Rui
Then please excuse me. I was only speaking my mind as someone who has also been chasing dreams.
101
Rui
Indeed, believing in a dream can be a rather perilous endeavor.
102
Shosuke
...
103
Rui
But fear not. Your younger sister is a renowned master of this art.
104
Rui
She is able to believe in something that all others have long since given up on...
105
Rui
Which is why I sincerely hope that you will stop insulting my friends like this.
106
Shosuke
What...?!
107
Emu
R-Rui! Please, it's okay! I'll be fine...!
108
Keisuke
That's enough, Shosuke...
109
Keisuke
We don't have much time ourselves. Our guests will be arriving at any minute.
110
Shosuke
But Keisuke...!
111
Keisuke
We're going.
Next Chapter: Where's Our Hope?